Wiggins retains lead as Bennett wins

Ireland’s Sam Bennett took victory on stage five of the Tour of Britain, with Team Sky’s Sir Bradley Wiggins retaining the overall race lead.

The hilly 177km race from Machynlleth took the riders over the Brecon Beacons and ended with two ascents of Caerphilly Mountain, which reduced the leading group to around 20 riders.

Bennett, second on stage two, sprinted clear in the final 100m to win.

Rolling with the Tour

“As we roll into Wales, we are summoned to the front of the pack once more. Shem Rodgers has got a puncture. Team mechanic Richard Hargreaves jumps out and does the honours.

“Minutes later, Shem’s back. “Have you got a 15mm spanner? The brake is rubbing against the wheel.” Hargreaves leans out at 30mph and has a look. The brake is not the culprit; it is the tyre. Poor Shem is nudged to the side of the road and given a second new wheel. Race Radio’s “iechyd da”, or “cheers”, is greeted with silence.”

“I’ve worked hard for 20 weeks to be in this condition,” he said. “It’s been a long road but this is where I wanted to be at the start of the week.”

Referring to his style of climbing, the four-time Olympic gold medallist said: “I don’t have the acceleration that some I have. I just time trial. I pace my efforts and it works. I won the Tour de France like that.”

Friday’s sixth stage begins in Sidmouth, with the riders taking in the 138km route to Hayter on Dartmoor for the first summit finish in the Tour’s history.